Archives for February 2009

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‘”I hope so,” Vanek said prior to Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. “I would like to play tonight, but obviously it’s not stable enough yet. So hopefully another week and I’ll be back.”‘

‘A game-time decision with the flu, Patrick Lalime had a strong game, making 31 saves for the Sabres. Buffalo has lost two in a row since star goalie Ryan Miller sprained his ankle Saturday night against the New York Rangers. “Sometimes when you’re feeling your worst, you play your best,” Ruff said of Lalime. “It gets you in a little bit more of a relaxed state. That’s a heck of an effort for not practicing yesterday and being run down. It was great to see.”’

‘”I thought it was a great game both ways,” said Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff. “The first 40 the puck movement was real good, we had some good opportunities we didn’t take advantage of then we got in some penalty trouble, it gave them some momentum. I thought we bounced back again in overtime and late in the third. I think everyone got their money’s worth.”‘

‘All three Buffalo shooters — Ales Kotalik, Jason Pominville, and Tim Connolly — were stonewalled by Ward. Jokinen’s goal was the only shot that got past Lalime, but it was all the Canes would need for the win. Because the game ended after regulation, the Sabres get one point in the standings and are now tied with Carolina in the standings.’

‘The first 500 who present to donate will receive an autographed Buffalo Sabres hockey puck autographed by a Sabres player. There will be a kids area, free cholesterol screening, and visits from Sabretooth and Perry Winkle of Perry’s Ice Cream.’

‘“There’s some situations around the net where I think we have to be a little bit better or play differently when Ryan’s in there,” Ruff said. “But our style of play up ice isn’t going to change. We want to play a real aggressive game. We want our defense involved.”’

‘“You talk to their coaches and they’ve given him a lot of credit for the way he’s played,” Ruff said. “He’s a pretty confident kid that stepped in the American League, and if you look at the job he did you wouldn’t expect him to step in and play as well as he did the first 20-30 games.”’